Which players should you build around and which players should you fade in DFS as we tip off Friday's NBA action? Our experts have the answers.
Today's panel includes ESPN Fantasy's Joe Kaiser, André Snellings, Kyle Soppe and Jim McCormick.
Players to build around
Kyle Soppe -- Elfrid Payton, Orlando Magic
A theme to my picks today is versatility, or lack thereof, and I've been very impressed with Payton's continued ability to contribute across the board. He has racked up at least 11 rebounds-plus-assists in five straight games, and when you consider that he also has 11 steals over that stretch, Payton can help you in more ways than most plays in this price tier.
Sure, his scoring is a bit sporadic, but against a Nuggets team that ranks as a bottom-10 unit in defensive efficiency and fastbreak points allowed, I'll happily take my chances. Those flaws have resulted in Denver allowing the third-most point guard PPG this season (the most over the last 1.5 weeks) and I'm penciling Payton in for 40-plus fantasy points, something he has done three times in his past nine games.
Joe Kaiser -- Gary Harris, Denver Nuggets
Harris is averaging 18.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.3 steals and 2.8 3-pointers during his past 10 games. Tonight, he faces an Orlando team that's without two of its best wings, Evan Fournier and Terrence Ross, so the opportunity is there for another big night.
Harris has the athleticism and quickness to take full advantage, if the Magic are forced to defend him with aging veteran Arron Afflalo, and that's something to watch out for as well.
André Snellings -- DeMarcus Cousins, New Orleans Pelicans
Cousins dropped 40 points and 22 rebounds on the Nuggets on Wednesday, his second 40/20 game of the season. His first 40/20 game of the season came back on October 26, when he scored 41 points with 23 rebounds against his former team, the Sacramento Kings.
On Friday, Cousins faces the Kings again, with motivation and lack of interior defense as goads toward another big game. Anthony Davis is questionable with his adductor injury, after missing the previous three games with the injury, and if he sits again, this just gives Cousins an even bigger opportunity to explode on Friday.
Jim McCormick -- Gary Harris, Denver Nuggets
After a slow start to the season that saw Harris average 12.4 PPG over his first 12 games, Harris has scored at least 20 points six times over his past 10 games while producing 18.7 PPG, 2.3 SPG and 2.8 3PG over this recent surge. Harris nets a choice matchup with an Orlando team that has allowed 44.1 fantasy points per game to shooting guards over the past 10 games, thus we can identify Harris a strong backcourt building block tonight.
Players to fade
Kyle Soppe -- Eric Bledsoe, Milwaukee Bucks
Bledsoe's usage has dipped a bit from his time in Phoenix, but that's not my greatest concern. Where has the versatility gone? His rebound and assist averages with the Bucks (13 games) are lower than any of his four seasons with the Suns, and I'm not so sure that changes with the Giannis Antetokounmpo doing a little bit of everything.
His average distance of field goal attempt sits at a career high 13.4 feet and is taking away from the impact of his greatest strength: his athleticism. Bledsoe's diminishing free throw totals and his waning versatility lowers his production floor, something I'm not willing to deal with in a game that features two of the six slowest offenses in basketball. Feel free to roster him Saturday when he gets the #BirthdayBump.
Joe Kaiser -- Serge Ibaka, Toronto Raptors
Based on recent performance, Ibaka looks like a strong value at his salary range, but don't let that fool you. Memphis does a good job of limiting daily fantasy points to opposing power forwards and, as we've seen a lot this season, Ibaka is capable of going for eight points and six rebounds in this type of matchup. His upside isn't high on a team on which he's the third-best scoring option behind DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry, and tonight his floor is low as well.
André Snellings -- LaMarcus Aldridge, San Antonio Spurs
Aldridge has been one of the best stories of the early part of the season, bouncing back in a big way from a down season last year. However, he has slowed over the last week with averages of 19 points on 38 FG%, 6.7 rebounds and 0.3 blocks during his last three games, down from his season numbers of 22.6 points on 50.4 FG%, 8.0 rebounds and 1.2 blocks.
Plus, Kawhi Leonard is expected back as soon as this weekend, so Aldridge will soon be sliding out of the top seat. And for potentially his last game as the top option, Aldridge faces a tough Boston Celtics defense that has allowed the 11th-fewest fantasy points to power forwards and, by far, the fewest fantasy points to opposing centers.
Jim McCormick -- Domantas Sabonis, Indiana Pacers
Sabonis has failed to meet value in three of his past four games and has averaged just 22.5 MPG over his past five. This is a player who has thrived on and become dependent upon opportunity rates this season; he's among the league leaders in rebounding opportunities per game. His minutes could continue to be compromised against a Cleveland team that will look to go small and spread the floor, so it's tough to imagine him being an efficient investment tonight.
